Match report: Batley Bulldogs v York City Knights

Strident wingman Alex Brown stormed in for a hat-trick of tries as the Bulldogs rattled up a half-century of points against the somewhat hapless York City Knights.

The Bulldogs showed eagerness from the start as they repelled an earlyYork raid and then hit back as stand-off Paul Handforth split the defence wide open, stormed upfield and almost got wingman Brown over.

He was tackled just short of the line but quick hands saw Alex Bretherton race over for the touchdown and start a scoring procession as further tries from Wayne Reittie, Brown and Danny Maun moved the score along at a point-a-minute pace in the opening quarter.

Suddenly York “got off the bus” and with half-backs Jonny Presley and Anthony Thackeray dictating play the way was opened for centres James Ford and Duane Straugheir to show their pace as they stormed over for a try apiece which closed the gap to 20-10.

But on the stroke of half-time Batley wingman Wayne Reittie anticipated a chip ahead from Handforth and raced through to collect and score.

The second half saw Batley pile on the points as wingman Brown raced through for two more touchdowns, props Sean Hesketh and Adam Robinson used strength and not inconsiderable pace to crash over for a try apiece and full-back Ian Preece joined in the spree by splitting the defensive line and scoring in the corner.

The only disappointment as far as Batley was concerned was that goal-kicker Handforth was only able to convert half of the 10 touchdowns.

York had the final word of the game as they gallantly worked their way upfield for prop Jack Stearman to take a quick pass and score a try in the final minute which was converted by former Bulldogs player Mark Barlow. Batley Bulldogs: Preece, Reittie, Williams, Maun, Brown, Handforth, Mennell, Smith, Lythe, Potter, Manning, Bretherton, Lindsay. Subs (all used): Buttery, Walton, Hesketh, Robinson.